The Roots and Legacy of Gyoshu Hayami
Master of Japanese-style Painting

Overview

The life of Japanese-style painting master Gyoshu Hayami(1894-1935) flashed by in a brief 40 years filled with storm and stress. After starting out with historical painting, Gyoshu went through a bewildering series of artistic changes, drawn first to Shin-Nanga (an updated version of the Southern school of Chinese painting), which recalled the Pointillist technique in Impressionism, then to kacho-ga(bird and flower paintings), an extremely realistic approach reminiscent of Chinese intai-ga (Imperial Court paintings), gold folding screens minus the depth of the Rinpa school, and after moving to Europe, depictions of the human form inspired by attractive groups of people in Western painting. Unfortunately, Gyoshu died in the prime of life. This exhibition focuses on Hayami’s own work as well as those around him, including his teacher Fuko Matsumoto, his senior apprentice Shiko Imamura, the members of the Sekiyo-kai group, and his disciples and others who carried on his style , to trace the trajectory of the artist’s work, which is now considered a high point in modern Japanese-style painting.

Admission

Adults 1,200yen, Seniors(over 65) 1,000yen, University and high school students 800yen, Junior high and elementary school students 500yen

Supported by:

NIPPON EXPRESS CO., LTD.,Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.

Specially cooporated by:

Ome Municipal Museum of Art, Sankeien Garden, The Museum of Modern Art, Shiga, Mobara City Museum of Art,Yokohama Museum of Art

Overview

The life of Japanese-style painting master Gyoshu Hayami(1894-1935) flashed by in a brief 40 years filled with storm and stress. After starting out with historical painting, Gyoshu went through a bewildering series of artistic changes, drawn first to Shin-Nanga (an updated version of the Southern school of Chinese painting), which recalled the Pointillist technique in Impressionism, then to kacho-ga(bird and flower paintings), an extremely realistic approach reminiscent of Chinese intai-ga (Imperial Court paintings), gold folding screens minus the depth of the Rinpa school, and after moving to Europe, depictions of the human form inspired by attractive groups of people in Western painting. Unfortunately, Gyoshu died in the prime of life. This exhibition focuses on Hayami’s own work as well as those around him, including his teacher Fuko Matsumoto, his senior apprentice Shiko Imamura, the members of the Sekiyo-kai group, and his disciples and others who carried on his style , to trace the trajectory of the artist’s work, which is now considered a high point in modern Japanese-style painting.